Animated doll



Dec- 26, 1961 F. J. CONVERTINE 3,014,312

ANIMATED DOLL Filed Dec. 12. 1958 EXHALE INVBH'OR. 53 FRANK J. CONVERT/NE FI 5 '1 B;

United States Patent Office 3,014,312 ANIMATED DOLL Frank J. Convertine, Suifolk County, NY. (179 E. Merrick Road, Llndenhurst, NY.) Filed Dec. 12, 195B, Ser. No. 780,036 4 Claims. (Cl. 46-247) This invention relates to toys and more particularly to animated dolls.

Many attempts have been made to animate toys, the most ditficult problems of animation arising in the case of dolls. Not only are human motions ditlicult to simulate but problems involving power consumption have made most of these attempts impractical. Animating mechanism for toys must, moreover, be relatively durable to withstand hard use.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide an improved animated doll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a doll having simulated breathing functions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for simulating breathing functions in dolls which is highly cliicient and which can operate for extended periods on a battery power source.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an animated doll having an improved control and drive mechanism.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a doll having a simulated breathing apparatus whereby the chest wall expands and contracts in a periodic motion simulating breathing. To this end there is included in the chest cavity a motor, preferably electrically energized from a battery source, mounted behind a resilient front wall portion defining the chest area. This resilient portion is coupled through a lost motion linkage to a drive crank coupled to the motor. The driving speed of the motor is selected to correspond to the breathing rate of an infant which is on the order of 30 breaths per minute. The linkage is arranged so that the wall of the chest cavity is stressed for the outer 'most or expanded position and is substantially free of stress or deformation for the innermost or exhaling position. Thus. there is provided, by virtue of the lost motion coupling, a dwell at the exhnling extreme before the chest wall begins to expand. in its expanded or outermost configuration there is no perceptible dwell due to the fact that the stressing of the wall initiates the return or contracting motion, thereby overcoming the effect of the lost motion coupling. In this fashion a highly realistic breathing action is achieved. Pneumatic breathing effects can be included in accordance with the invention as can timing functions for automatically shutting all the power.

The above and other features and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in vertical section of the chest cavity portion of a doll;

FIGURE 2 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in transverse section of the chest wall of a doll showing a modified driving link- 3;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing another modified form of drive coupling to the chest wall; and

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section through the central chest portion of a doll showing still another modilied drive system.

3,014,312 Patented Dec. 26, 1961 Referring to the drawings there is illustrated the upper portion 10 of a doll having an internal supporting strueture 11, and an external skin structure 12 preferably formed of resilient material such, for example, as rubber or plastic. The doll includes a hollow chest cavity 13 bounded at its front end by a relatively thin, although flexible, resilient wall portion 14.

Mounted within the cavity 13 is an electric motor 15 having a rotor 16, a speed reducing gear train 17 and an output shaft 18 to which a crank wheel 19 is attached. The motor 15 is operated by a battery source It taking the form, for example, of two dry cells connected in series. The motor 15 and the batteries 20, the latter secured in a suitable clip mounting 21, polarized to insure the correct mounting of the batteries, are attached to the internal supporting structure 11 adjacent the back wall 22 of the doll. Formed in the back wall 22 in an access opening 23 having a cover portion 23a by means of which the batteries 20 may be replaced. The batteries are connected in series with the electric motor 15 through a switch 24 having a push type actuator 25 extending out of the back wall 22 of the doll.

The inside of the flexible resilient wall portion 14 has attached thereto a mounting boss or lug 26 which receives a coupling member 27 having an enlarged end 27a adapted to be forced into the boss. The member 27 is joined at its outer end to a tie rod 28 through a lost motion coupling indicated generally by the numeral 29. The lost motion coupling is defined by a pair of interlocking annuluses which transmit both tension and comprcssion force when the extremes of the lost motion are reached. The tie rod 28 is in turn pivotally connected to the crank wheel 19 by a crank pin 30, which can be formed integrally with the tie rod. The parts are assembled within the cavity 13 so that when the flexible resilient wall 14 is disposed in its unstressed position, the crank pin 30 will be disposed in its quadrant of mo tion which is nearest to the batteries 20 as viewed in the drawings. The rear quadrant of motion, defined by the angle it, constitutes a portion of the cycle in which the motor 15 is operated without a load, this being due to the lost motion coupling 29. Over this angle the chest wall 14 is not in motion, nor is it stressed. As pictured in FIGURES l and 2 the chest wall 14 is stressed outward.

To initiate breathing of the doll, the switch 24 is closed by pressing the actuator 25. If desired, the motor 15 can be so selected that it will not start under the load imposed by the parts at rest, in which case the actual breathing operation is initiated by pressing inwardly on the chest wall portion 14 to relieve any load which might be imposed thereon, allowing the crank wheel 19 to begin its rotation.

In motion, the crank wheel will cause the chest wall 14 to pulsate in and out at a rate approximating the breathing rate of a child. When the wall 14 is distended outwardly, the lost motion coupling 29 will be in compresslon due to the resilient force imposed thereon by the wall. As the crank pin rotates, it will ultimately reach a point at which the stress in the coupling 29 passes from compression to tension, this occurring as the flexible wall 14 arrives at its normal, unstressed position. At this point the lost motion coupling 29 yields so that during the ensuing sector of rotation of the crank pin 30 over the angle a theme will be substantially no motion transmitted to the flexible wall 14, the lost motion coupling first opening to its maximum point and then closing to establish compression in the rods 21 and 28 to initiate the next outward or expanding movement of the chest wall. In this fashion a pause or dwell is made to occur at the contracted position for the chest wall corresponding to the normal dwell which occurs between eithaling and inhaling to impart realism to the breathing action. At the period between inhaling and exhaling, however, there is substantially no dwell due to the fact that the lost motion coupling remains compressed under the resilient force of the wall 14. This again conforms to the breathing pattern of a human wherein only a slight pause or dwell occurs at the chest expanded position which is due, as in the case of the doll of the present invention, to the resilient forces attendant the chest expanded condition.

It is possible in accordance with the invention to include a timing mechanism which automatically shuts off the breathing apparatus after a predetermined interval in order to conserve batteries. To this end there is mounted in the cavity 13 above the motor 15 a tinting switch actuator 32 including a pinion gear 33 adapted to be engaged by the crank pin 30 once for each rotation of the crank wheel to advance the pinion gear one tooth. The pinion gear 33 is carried by and coupled to a shaft 35 journalled in the body of the doll and carrying a small drive gear 36' which meshes with a relatively large timing gear 37 carrying an actuating pin 38. The push switch 24 which is closed by pressing the actuator 25 inwardly, includes a release detect 24a interposed in the path of travel of the actuating pin 38 on the gear 37. when the actuator 25 is pressed inwardly the detent release 24a is actuated to energize the motor and to release the pin 38 to allow the gear train to rotate. The motor 19, now energized by the closed switch 24, will rotate to establish the simulated breathing action for a period of time necessary for pin 38 to make a complete revolution to engage the actuator 24:: to open the switch 24 and release the depressed push rod 25. Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be observed that the pinion gear 33 is interposed in the path of travel of the actuating pin 30 on the crank wheel 19 so that engagement occurs to rotate the pinion near the end of the arc of free or onloaded movement of the motor 19. After rotating the pinion 33 for a distance of one tooth, the pin 30 moves free of the timing gear train so that the motor is able to devote its full output energy to the actuation of the chest wall. This also insures maximum driving power (or actuating the control switch 24 because the motor will have been in unloaded motion over the major portion of the angle a.

If desired the push rod for controlling the switch 24, whether or not the automatic shut off mechanism described above is utilized, may be concealed beneath the skin of the doll to be actuated by pressure thereon. if disposed at a convenient location such as the nape of the neck the breathing action is initiated by pressure a plied in that general location. It an automatic shut off is not included, it will, of course, be necessary to operate the actuator to de-energize the system. For this purpose a push switch which has one complete cycle in and out of the actuator for each opening or closing of the contacts is preferred.

Simulated breathing through the mouth 39 of the doll is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by coupling a pneumatic tube 39' to the chest cavity 13 which, for purposes of achieving this function, is made air-tight. The pulsating chest wall will, therefore, cause air to be inhaled and exhaled through the mouth. Alternatively, as will be described below having reference to FIGURE 5, an air pump can be coupled directly to the tube 39' and driven from the motor 19 so that the doll will exhale and inhale exactly in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the chest wall.

Also, in accordance with the invention the doll can be made to exhale only so that it might be used, for example, to blow a bubble pipe. To this end there can be included in the conduit 39 a one-way check valve 40 allowing air to pass only upwardly and out of the mouth 39. A complementary check valve 40 mounted at a convenient place such, for example, as the back wall of lo that described above.

the doll allows air to enter the chest cavity 13 upon expansion of the chest wall 14. At this time the check valve 40 will be closed. On the return or collapsing stroke the valve 40' will close and the valve 40 will open.

Referring to FIGURE 3 there is illustrated a modified arrangement wherein a. flexible, resilient chest wall 41 is coupled to a drive or connecting rod 42 adapted to be driven for example by a motor and crank system similar The rod 42 is coupled to the wall 41 through a ball and socket connector 43 which allows the rod 42 to swing or pivot laterally as its driving crank rotates. The crank 44 is so arranged in relation to the wall 41 that the wall is close to its neutral or unstressed position when the crank is approaching its forward motion position, as illustrated. Thus, as the crank rotates, it will flex lhe chest wall inwardly for a greater distance than outwardly, the extremes being indicated in phantom lines. The inherent resistance of the chest wall inwardly would impose a heavier load on the driving motor 45 thereby slowing the motor down slightly at the exhale position to impart a dwell which simulates natural breathing. It will be understood that the chest wall 4! while it is in the illustrated arrangement driven outwardly for a slight distance, can be so arranged that it is flexed only inwardly, although it is preferred to balance at least to a certain degree the inward or outward flexing. it will also be understood that lost motion can be introduced into the ball and socket joint 43 to create a dwell at the exhale position similar to that described above in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2, this being achieved by establishing the normal unstressed configuration of the chest wall as the outermost or inhale position.

Referring to FIGURE 4 there is illustrated a modified drive arrangement for pulsating the flexible chest wall 46 of a doll including a drive motor 47 and crank wheel 48 carrying a crank pin 49. Attached to the wall 46 is a flexible connecting arm 50, the arm either being formed integrally with the wall 46 or adhesively secured thereto. The arm 50 includes a circular head portion 51 having a central opening to fit over the crank pin 49. The arm 50 is capable of lateral flexing move meat in order to accommodate the rotary movement of the crank wheel 48. When the crank wheel 48 is set into rotation by energizing the motor 47 the chest wall 46 will be caused to pulsate. In this arrangement it is preferred that the normal, unstressed configuration of the wall be established close to the point at which the crank 49 is nearest to the wall so that maximum stress in the arm 50 will be tension, thereby obviating high compression forces which might tend to buckle the flexible arm. By selecting appropriate power for the motor 47 a dwell can be obtained at the exhale position by virtue of the increasing restraining forces of the chest wall 46 as it is stressed inwardly.

Referring to FIGURE 5 there is illustrated a modified drive system for establishing simulated breathing action in the chest wall 52 of a doll. in this arrangement, the driving motor takes the form of a rectilinear motor such as a solenoid motor 53. Attached to a boss 54 formed on or affixed to the inside surface of the Wall 52 is a rod 55 formed of form-magnetic material and having an enlarged head portion 550 anchored within the boss 54. The rod 55 is slidably mounted in a non-magnetic sleeve 56 about which is wound a solenoid winding 57, both the sleeve and winding being affixed to the internal framework of the doll. The natural resilience of the wall 52 biases the rod 55 to its outermost position as illustrated in the drawing. When the coil 57 is energizcd from batteries 58 through a control switch 59 actunted by a push rod 60, the rod or armature 55 is drawn into the winding to flex the wall 51 inwardly. In order that the solenoid motor 53 will continue its stroking automatically, there is provided a control switch 61 operated by an actuator 62 which reciprocate; with the rod 55 to which it is attached. The actuator 62 carries actuating elements 620 and 62b which, at opposite ends of the stroke of the armature 65 alternately open and close the switch 61. The actuator 62!) closes the switch 61 to energize the solenoid winding 57 to pull the chest wall 52 inwardly until the actuator 62a actuates the switch 61 to open the circuit to de-energize the winding to allow the natural resilience of the wall 52 to return the armature to its outer position, at which time the cycle is automatically re-initiated. The switch 59 operates as a master control switch to shut off the solenoid motor 53 at any time. notwithstanding the position of the armature 55. However, when the switch 59 is opened, the armature automatically moves to its illus trated position to condition the switch 61 for operation by closing its contacts. if desired, supplemental springs may be used to assist in the return motion.

To control the rate of reciprocating movement of the solenoid motor 53, there is provided a dashpot damper 63 including a cylindrical casing 64 and a piston 65 mounted therein and attached to the armature 55. By suitably adjusting the vents 66a and 66c on opposite sides of the piston, the rate of travel can be closely regulated. By providing a breathing port 666 intermediate the ends of the cylinder 64, the initial impedance to travel of the armature can be reduced. Once the piston 65 crosses the port 66b, the impedance increases and the travel of the piston decreases, thereby simulating a pause at the exhaling position of the chest wall.

The opposite end of the cylinder 64 can either be vented through a large port to the chest cavity or it can be connected by a pneumatic conduit 67 to the mouth of the doll to establish a breathing efl'ect similar to that described above.

While the invention has been described above having reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it can take various other forms and arrangements. Thus, for example, the lost motion coupling 29 can be incorporated between the mounting lug 26 and the large tip 270 of the connecting rod 27 or it can be incorporated at the crank pin 30.

The invention should not, therefore, be regarded as limited except as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An animated doll comprising a body portion having a chest cavity bounded on its forward edge by a flexible, resilient wall, a motor in the cavity and connecting means including a lost motion coupling joining the motor to the chest wall to drive the wall outwardly and inwardly in simulated breathing action, the lost motion coupling establishing a dwell in each breathing cycle.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim I, the chest wall being distended against its natural resilient force when in its outermost, expanded position, said motor includ' ing a crank output to which said coupling means is joined whereby the resilience of the chest cavity overcomes the lost motion coupling in the interval between the maximum expanded position and the maximum contracted position, said wall reaching an unstressed position at the point near the innermost position of the crank, whereby the lost motion coupling introduces a dwell into the breathing cycle at the innermost, contracted position.

3. An animated doll as set forth in claim '2, including a source of battery power to energize the motor, switch means between the battery source and the motor, and timing means driven by the motor to open said switch means after a predetermined number of breathing cycles.

4. An animated doll as set forth in claim 3, said timing means including a driving element rotatable with said crank means, and a driven element to be engaged thereby, said driving and driven elements coming into engagement during the dwell interval of each breathing cycle, whereby the timing means and the chest wall are driven at difierent times by the motor.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

